'It feels like home': Albany nonprofit gets more oney for veteran housing

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The number of veterans experiencing homelessness nationwide has increased by seven percent from 2022-2023, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. This trend is something the Albany Housing Coalition wants to reverse.

For some veterans like Tyrone Alexander, coming home from serving and trying to find housing can be challenging. Tyrone said this was one of the reasons he came to the Albany Housing Coalition years ago.

"It's like home, so to speak, you have brothers that was going through the same things that I was going through and you understand what they're going through and you want to help them as much as possible," said Tyrone, who served in the army for three years.

The Albany Housing Coalition has been helping veterans since 1987 under their Homeless Veterans Program. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced a nearly $44 million federal grant on Tuesday to support homeless and at-risk veterans, including ones at the Albany coalition.

The organization will receive $595,000. Paul Bigness, the supportive services for veteran families program manager, said this money will be crucial.

“It’s important because the money is there for them right, and it's used for them to understand that its okay to ask for help," said Paul, who is also a retired Sergeant Major after a 26-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and N.Y. Army National Guard.

While providing homes is the main priority, Paul said this gran can also be used to stop homelessness before it happens.

"We can help them pay their rent, their heating bill, say their car breaks down, we can help them fix their car up to a certain amount," said Paul. "Say if they need help with their electric bill, there's so much thing in the grant that we can do to prevent homelessness."

Since this particular housing is transitional, veterans can stay for up to two years. Whether its a hot meal every night, a new outdoor deck, a family-cat named GG, or the comfort of each other, the coalition is helping many veterans rebuild.

"Because veterans know veterans, you know we understand each other, and like Paul said, the veterans, they have a pride factor where they don't want to ask for help but they get with other veterans and they can relax, you know, you're with your own kind," said Frank Bombardier, a veteran who served in the Marine Corp for eight years, and is now the resident advisor and night manager with the Albany Housing Coalition.

Many of the workers at the coalition are also veterans themselves. They said housing services are always needed.

"I've seen an increase in the demand for homeless veterans. It's always needed, you just have to go out and look for them because with veterans they have the pride they don't want the help and you have to explain how its going to help them to make them better," said Paul.

Paul wants all veterans to know that they are here to help.

"We can help you, you know, just give us a call," said Paul.

Anyone interested in using services provided by the Albany Housing Coalition or donating to them, can call 518-465-5251, or visit their website.